Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
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READ: Over 1M members show up for INC rally
MORE than a million members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) converged at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday for a National Peace Rally, calling for national unity and calm as political tensions escalate. According to a report by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the crowd swelled to 1.5 million by noon. The PNP said the situation remained peaceful as the tally of attendees continued to increase. Simultaneous rallies were also held in cities across the country, including Legazpi, Ilagan, and Puerto Princesa in Luzon; Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod in the Visayas; and Davao, Pagadian, Butuan, and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao. The massive turnout reflected the INC's ability to draw vast numbers in support of its call for peace. The crowd, composed of families, students, and elderly participants, carried banners and placards with messages like "Kapayapaan para sa Bayan" (Peace for the Nation) and "Pagkakaisa sa Gitna ng Pagsubok" (Unity Amid Challenges).
READ: Govt to probe alleged PNP 'conspiracy'
THE government is poised to investigate an alleged "grand conspiracy" in the Philippine National Police (PNP) to sweep controversial drug cases under the rug. Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla made the remark following the filing of administrative charges against 30 policemen, including several high-ranking officers, involved in a 2022 "simulated" buy-bust in Manila that resulted in the largest drug haul in the country.
READ: Chinese ships in PH waters spark protest
THE National Maritime Council (NMC) on Monday condemned the continued illegal presence of Chinese ships within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In a statement, the NMC said the two vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG) — identified as CCG 5901 and CCG 3304 — have been operating unlawfully in the waters around Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) 70 to 90 nautical miles off the coastline of Zambales on Jan. 5 and 10, respectively. It also called out Beijing's deployment of a People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) helicopter, "which hovered above a PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) vessel that was lawfully conducting its mandate in a peaceful, non-provocative, and professional manner."
READ: Marcos, Biden, Ishiba vow to boost ties
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday held a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru where they all vowed to deepen ties. During their Trilateral Leaders Phonecall, the three committed for the Philippines, the US and Japan to continue working together to enhance and deepen trilateral ties, particularly in the areas of economic, maritime, and technology cooperation.
READ: Lack of funds not a reason to disqualify a candidate – SC
THE Supreme Court has reaffirmed the democratic rights of citizens to run for public office, irrespective of their financial means. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court said a candidate's lack of financial resources to fund a nationwide campaign does not automatically make him or her a nuisance candidate. The en banc ruling, written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, overturned previous resolutions by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that invalidated the candidacy of Juan Olila Ollesca in the 2022 presidential elections. The case began in October 2021, when Ollesca, a business owner, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) to run as an independent candidate for the presidency. Shortly thereafter, the Comelec Law Department petitioned to declare Ollesca a nuisance candidate, arguing that he was neither well-known nor possessed the resources to mount a nationwide campaign capable of achieving national recognition. The Comelec's Second Division granted the petition, declaring Ollesca a nuisance candidate. The Comelec en banc upheld this decision, denying Ollesca's motion for reconsideration. The high court emphasized that in a democracy, every citizen has the right to seek public office, a principle that must be balanced with the practical need to maintain free, fair, and orderly elections. The law, it stated, allows Comelec to regulate candidacies to avoid confusion, excessive resource allocation, and voter deception.
READ: Singson withdraws from senatorial race
FORMER Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, who has announced his withdrawal from the senatorial race in the May elections, will still be listed as a candidate, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec). That's because his name has already been included in the ballots that have been printed, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia explained on Monday. Singson told his followers Sunday he is dropping out following a bout with pneumonia. Garcia said Singson should personally file his withdrawal at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila. He said the votes cast for the former governor would be declared as stray.
BUSINESS: Record business name registrations hit in 2024
BUSINESS name registrations hit a record 1.056 million in 2024, data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed, with most composed of the small enterprises that comprise the bulk of businesses in the country. Last year's tally rose from 984,332 in 2023 and the 937,431 recorded in 2022, up by 7.28 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively, based on figures posted on the DTI's website. New registrations accounted for 88.4 percent of the total, or 933,906, while the remaining 122,148 —11.56 percent — were composed of renewals. The top business activity involved sari-sari retail stores with 180,726 registrations. Other sectors with significant registration numbers were restaurants and mobile food services activities, 75,974; retail sales via the internet, 61,436; and real estate activities, 42,993 registrations.
SPORTS: PH captures bronze in APW Lacrosse tilt
The Philippine women's lacrosse team made a historic bronze finish after beating Taiwan, 18-6, in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women's Lacrosse Championship at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia. This is the country's first-ever medal in lacrosse. After suffering two consecutive defeats and being relegated to the bronze medal match, the Filipinas displayed the same intensity and dominated Taiwan. Steph Lazo led the charge for the Filipinas with five goals, while Sarah Nelson, Lizzie de Guzman, and Cat Roxas poured in three goals apiece.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Orlando Mercado are today's front page columnists. Contreras talks about free speech, writ of habeas data and the time of reckoning for fact-checking, Makabenta discusses rethinking government, while Mercado looks at lessons from the fires at Los Angeles.
Today's editorial discusses producing more nurses for public health. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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